Existing user? Sign in
Share your needs with us, get contacted by law firms.
Free. Takes 2 min.
Nea Smyrni is a municipality within the Athens metropolitan area, so people and businesses there rely on the same Greek and European intellectual property - IP - framework that applies throughout Greece. IP law in Greece covers patents, trademarks, registered designs, copyright and related rights, and trade secrets. Rights can be national - granted and enforced through Greek administrative bodies and courts - or regional and international - obtained through the European Union or international systems and then enforced in Greece.
For most residents of Nea Smyrni the practical realities are familiar: trademark and design registrations are handled through the Hellenic Industrial Property Organization, copyright arises automatically on creation, patent protection is obtained at national or European level, and enforcement typically takes place in Athens courts. Local lawyers with IP experience in the Athens area can advise on registration, licensing, enforcement and cross-border matters.
You may need a lawyer when your rights, business or creative work are at risk, or when you want to secure IP protection effectively. Common situations include:
- You want to register a trademark, patent or design and need help with searches, filings and procedural steps.
- You suspect someone is copying or counterfeiting your product, brand or creative work and need enforcement options - cease and desist letters, preliminary measures, or litigation.
- You are negotiating licensing, assignment, distribution or confidentiality agreements and need to protect your rights in contracts.
- You are launching a new brand, product or service and need clearance searches and risk assessments to avoid infringing others.
- You need help gathering and preserving evidence of infringement - including online infringements - or you want to apply for customs action against counterfeit goods.
- You require advice about cross-border protection - EU-wide trademarks or international registration - or about how to validate a European patent in Greece.
Key legal points that are especially relevant in Nea Smyrni and Greece generally:
- Trademarks - A Greek trademark registration gives protection in Greece and is valid for 10 years from the filing date, renewable every 10 years. Businesses can also apply for an EU trademark through the EU Intellectual Property Office for pan-EU rights, or an international registration under the Madrid System.
- Patents - Greece is a contracting state to the European Patent Convention; you can obtain protection either through the European Patent Office and validate in Greece or by national patent procedures. Patents generally last up to 20 years from the earliest filing date subject to renewal fees and other requirements.
- Registered designs - Registered community designs and national design registrations protect the appearance of products. Design protection can be renewed up to a maximum term set by law - renewals extend protection in defined periods.
- Copyright - Copyright protection in Greece arises automatically on creation, without registration, and typically lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. Moral rights are strongly protected in Greek law. Collective management organizations and licensing practices exist in Greece for certain categories of works.
- Trade secrets - Protected under Greek law consistent with EU directives. Protection depends on the owner taking reasonable steps to keep information secret and on contractual and tort remedies against improper acquisition or disclosure.
- Enforcement - Civil remedies include injunctions, damages and seizure of infringing goods. Criminal sanctions can apply for serious counterfeiting or piracy. Temporary measures and interim relief to preserve evidence are available through courts. Customs measures based on EU legislation allow detention of suspected counterfeit or pirated goods at the border.
- Language and formalities - Procedural filings and litigation in Greece are conducted in Greek; translations are often required for nationally effective rights and court proceedings. EU and international filings have their own rules about language and representation.
Consider trademark protection for brand names, logos and slogans; patents for technical inventions; registered designs for product appearance; copyright for original creative works and software; and trade secret protection for confidential business information. Often a combination is appropriate - for example, using trademarks and registered designs together for a product line.
No. Copyright arises automatically when an original work is created and fixed in a tangible form. Registration is not required to obtain protection. However, keeping dated records, depositing copies with a reliable third party, or using notarized declarations can help prove authorship and creation date in a dispute.
Trademarks can be registered nationally with the Hellenic Industrial Property Organization. A registered trademark in Greece is valid for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed indefinitely for further 10-year periods on payment of renewal fees. You can also seek EU-wide protection through the EU Intellectual Property Office or an international registration under the Madrid System.
Yes. You can send a cease and desist letter, request voluntary removal of infringing listings or products, and, if needed, file for interim measures and substantive litigation in the competent civil courts, typically in Athens. Remedies can include injunctions, damages, removal and destruction of counterfeits, and in serious cases criminal prosecution. A lawyer can advise on the fastest and most cost-effective course of action.
Greece recognizes European patents granted by the European Patent Office. After grant you may need to validate the European patent in Greece, which often requires translations and payment of fees. Alternatively, national patent procedures are available. Patent duration is commonly up to 20 years from the filing date, subject to renewal and compliance with formalities.
Preserve evidence - take screenshots, note URLs, timestamps and any user details. Send takedown notices to the platform or site operator and consider a cease and desist letter. If platforms do not respond or the infringement is severe, consult an IP lawyer about sending formal notices, seeking interim relief or starting court proceedings. Lawyers can also assist with identifying anonymous infringers via disclosure orders when appropriate.
Costs vary. Official filing fees for trademarks, patents and designs differ by procedure and scope. Legal fees depend on complexity - simple filings are generally modest, while enforcement and litigation can be significantly more expensive because of court fees, lawyers fees and possible expert reports. Ask potential lawyers for an estimate, fee structure and possible additional costs like translations or expert evidence. In some cases legal aid or pro bono help may be available for qualifying individuals.
Yes. From Nea Smyrni you can seek regional or international protection - for example an EU trademark or registered Community design, European patent applications via the EPO, and international trademark or patent filings through the Madrid System and the Patent Cooperation Treaty - PCT - administered by WIPO. A local IP lawyer can advise on the best territorial strategy and handle filings or coordinate with foreign associates.
Gather any drafts, dated files, prototypes, photographs, invoices, marketing materials, contracts, licensing agreements, employment or freelancer contracts that relate to creation or ownership, proof of first use or publication, correspondence about the IP, and evidence of infringement if any. These materials help the lawyer evaluate ownership, strength of protection, and available remedies.
Look for lawyers or firms with specific IP experience and relevant case history. Confirm membership in a Greek Bar Association, ask about courtroom experience, check whether they work with translations and international filings, and request references or case studies. Seek clear fee arrangements - hourly rates versus flat fees - and ensure they communicate in a language you understand. Local presence in the Athens area, including Nea Smyrni, helps with court appearances and interaction with local authorities.
Recommended public bodies and organizations to consult or contact when you need information or procedural help:
- Hellenic Industrial Property Organization - the national authority for trademarks, patents and designs in Greece.
- Relevant Copyright Directorate or cultural authorities responsible for copyright policy and claims in Greece.
- European Union Intellectual Property Office - for EU trademarks and designs and information on EU-wide protection.
- European Patent Office - for European patent applications and patent information.
- World Intellectual Property Organization - for international schemes like the PCT and Madrid System.
- Greek customs authorities - for information about border measures against counterfeit goods under EU rules.
- Athens Bar Association - to find qualified local lawyers and for information on legal aid and professional standards.
If you need practical help, a good IP lawyer in the Athens area can explain which of these bodies is relevant for your case and help you interact with them.
If you think you need legal assistance with an IP matter in Nea Smyrni, consider the following steps:
- Pause public exposure where appropriate - avoid publishing more of the work if confidentiality is important.
- Collect and organize evidence of creation, use and any suspected infringement - dates, files, contracts, photos, invoices and online screenshots.
- Perform a preliminary search - either online or with a lawyer - to check for existing trademarks, patents or designs that could affect your plans.
- Contact a qualified IP lawyer in the Athens area to discuss options. Ask about experience, likely timelines, fees and any alternative dispute resolution options.
- Decide on immediate actions - for example a precautionary cease and desist letter, a takedown request, an administrative filing or preparation for litigation - based on legal advice and the urgency of the matter.
- Plan a protection strategy that fits your budget and business goals - combining registration, contracts, confidentiality measures and enforcement planning.
Early legal advice helps avoid costly mistakes and improves your chances of strong protection and efficient enforcement. A local IP specialist can guide you through Greek and international procedures and represent your interests in court or in negotiations.
